Perish MTG Card


Perish effectively thins green-heavy opposition, granting card advantage during crucial gameplay moments. Strategically slows opponents, indirectly accelerating your resource advantage by saving on removal costs. Diverse use in sideboards counters green creature strategies, offering tactical benefits in multiple formats.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy all green creatures. Those creatures cannot be regenerated this turn.

"There will come a time when the voices of soil and seedling will sing only laments." —Oracle *en*-Vec


Cards like Perish

Perish is a notorious spell known among MTG veterans for its sweeping effect that specifically targets green creatures. This makes it a formidable option in games where green creatures dominate the battlefield. In terms of comparative spells, we can look at cards like Wrath of God, which offers a more universal approach by destroying all creatures regardless of color, making it less selective than Perish but also more widely applicable in a diverse set of situations.

Another card that draws parallels to Perish is Doom Wake Giant, which, although it doesn’t destroy creatures outright, can repeatedly weaken an opponent’s creatures through its constellation ability. This effect can lead to similar outcomes as Perish, especially against decks filled with low-toughness creatures. Lastly, Infest is also worth mentioning, significantly affecting the board by giving all creatures -2/-2, a less color-centric approach than Perish, but with an impact that’s felt across a wider range of creatures.

Each card offers unique advantages depending on the game context, with Perish distinguishing itself as a reliable answer to green creature strategies within Magic: The Gathering, proving its niche appeal in sideboards against green-heavy metas.

Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Infest - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Infest - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Perish by color, type and mana cost

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Victimize - MTG Card versions
Darkpact - MTG Card versions
Demonic Attorney - MTG Card versions
Jovial Evil - MTG Card versions
Touch of Death - MTG Card versions
Wicked Pact - MTG Card versions
Nature's Ruin - MTG Card versions
Buried Alive - MTG Card versions
Choking Sands - MTG Card versions
Brush with Death - MTG Card versions
Infernal Contract - MTG Card versions
Coercion - MTG Card versions
Hand of Death - MTG Card versions
Forced March - MTG Card versions
Stupor - MTG Card versions
Soul Burn - MTG Card versions
Noxious Vapors - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Crippling Fatigue - MTG Card versions
Flaying Tendrils - MTG Card versions
Victimize - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Perish shines in matchups against green creature-heavy decks, thinning opponents’ board presence and potentially clearing multiple threats with a single card. This creates a significant swing in card economy, giving the player who casts Perish an advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Despite Perish not directly accelerating resources, the removal of multiple creatures can indirectly lead to resource advantage. By clearing the board of creatures, you slow down your opponent’s momentum, potentially saving mana spent on future removal or preventing the loss of your own creatures.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Perish demands strategic planning for its full potential. Although not at instant speed, the devastating effect on green creatures often compensates for this timing restriction. Properly timed, it can severely disrupt an opponent’s crucial turn, setting them back substantially in the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Navigating gameplay with Perish requires strategic hand management due to its necessity for a discard to unleash its full potential. If your hand is already depleted, activating this card could lead to a precarious situation, leaving you at a resource disadvantage compared to your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Perish comes with a demand for specific colors in its mana cost, necessitating a commitment to those colors in your deck construction. This can make it a challenging fit in a multicolored deck that might be mana strained, potentially leading to a delayed or missed play opportunity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Perish may seem cost-effective at first glance, but when stacked against the grand scale of destruction options available, it could be argued that the mana investment is on the higher side. Players might find themselves contemplating if the cost to clear the board is justified, especially when considering other available cards that offer more versatility or lower mana requirements for a similar effect.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Perish offers a broad application, seamlessly integrating into sideboards of decks that require a way to sweep away green creatures. Its adaptability against decks that heavily rely on green makes it a tactical choice for many formats.

Combo Potential: For players looking to exploit specific metas, Perish can serve as a combo piece in strategies designed to undermine green creature-based decks. Its straightforward and powerful effect can be the turning point during matches.

Meta-Relevance: With constantly evolving metas that sometimes favor green creatures, such as elves or big mana ramp decks, Perish gains significant relevance as a strategic answer to these threats.


How to beat

Dealing with Perish in Magic: The Gathering can be a nuanced challenge, as this spell’s power to destroy all green creatures is a force to be reckoned with. As with any color-specific board wipe, the key is to anticipate and prepare for its impact. Flexible decks that are not heavily reliant on green creatures or that can diversify their color presence will inherently stand a better chance against this form of disruption.

Utilizing indestructible creatures, counterspells, or investing in card types that are not affected, such as artifacts and enchantments, can ensure that your board presence persists through the devastation of Perish. Moreover, having a well-considered sideboard that can adjust to the presence of such targeted removal is also crucial for long-term success across multiple games.

Ultimately, adeptly navigating around Perish involves strategic deck building, maintaining a diverse array of threats, and being ready to pivot your game plan to mitigate its potential damage. This makes for an intricate dance in the world of MTG, where the right moves can counteract even the most formidable spells.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Perish MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Classic Sixth Edition, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Perish and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Perish Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Rebecca Guay.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 1471997NormalBlackRebecca Guay
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1481997NormalWhiteRebecca Guay
31999-08-04World Championship Decks 1999WC99 js147sb1997NormalGoldRebecca Guay
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7281997NormalBlackRebecca Guay
52020-09-26The ListPLST TMP-1471997NormalBlackRebecca Guay

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Perish has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal